Having our Indian friend Kuldeep to stay who’d (a) never been to London and (b) is a very strict veggie came with its own very special set of challenges. Sure, we could offer him the delights of the city’s many fine Indian restaurants but this, of course, would be a bit like a busman’s holiday.

Instead, new pizzeria on the block, Panzo Pizza in buzzing Exmouth Market, proved to be the ideal spot to introduce him to our never ending love of pizza and a very easy place to take a committed veggie.

But what can this new restaurant possibly offer in such a crowded market? As well as a very attractive Scandi-style setting it also boasts an intriguing USP. The base of all the pizzas is a unique mixture of rice, soy and wheat flour, which gives it a crispy, light finish, unlike anything we’d tasted before.

After a fantastic and generous salad to start, Kuldeep tried the St Paolo (wild mushrooms, goat cheese, Gorgonzola and truffle) and we sampled the Triple P (with a pumpkin base and pancetta). Both were freshly cooked and huge (amazing value at under £10 each).

Washed down with a beer or a glass of Italian wine (both on tap), this is the perfect place to start a night out with friends before you head off for a night of fun and games in Islington.

And if you’re lucky to live nearby, it’s the perfect place too to pick up a take-away if you can’t be bothered to cook.